Drugs and Youth

Although drug use among young people declined in some categories during the 1997 school year, recent drug rates continue their upward climb. According to the 1997-98 PRIDE survey, drug use among adolescents has more than doubled since the beginning of the decade.1 These short-term Percent of Students Who Have Never and long-term trends are both critical to gaining a clear Used Specific Drugs by Grade, 1995 picture of the extent of youth Marijuana Inhalants Cocaine Heroin involvement in illicit drug use today.
8th Grade

It is also important to examine the statistics in light of the large number of youth not involved in this unhealthy risk behavior. More than half (67 percent) of youth ages 13-18 have not used marijuana in the last year, and an even higher percentage never use any other illicit drugs.2

10th Grade

12th Grade 0 20 40 60 80 100

Source: The Monitoring the Future Study, 1975-1995

Many of todays youth are making the right decision in avoiding drug use, especially if they are empowered by positive relationships with parents who give them clear direction.

Prevalence of youth drug use

It has been estimated that in 1997 the percentage of 12-17 year olds using illicit drugs in the past month was 11.4 percent.3 Since most adolescent drug use is in the form of marijuana, marijuana use levels are the best indicator of the extent of youth drug abuse. A very small percentage of young people report past year illicit drug use other than marijuana: 3.7 percent used inhalants;
Statistics from different sources may vary due to a multitude of factors, including differing methods of data collection; choices of age ranges and time periods; measurements of perception versus actual use; reporting by rates or actual numbers; and definitions of use. Through this overview of statistics, IYD hopes to provide the reader with a comprehensive picture of youth risk behaviors, recognizing that some specific statistics may seem to indicate inconsistent trends or levels of use.

2.3 percent used hallucinogens; 2 percent used stimulants; and one percent or less of all adolescents used cocaine and other less prevalent drugs.4 Although marijuana use is more prevalent than other illicit drug use, it, too, is reported by a minority of adolescents. One-fourth of junior and senior high school students report having smoked marijuana at least once in their lives. According to the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (known as Add Health), a federally sponsored study of more than 90,000 teens, regular users (those who have smoked at least once during the past month) account for 12.7 percent of teens.5 More than half of high school seniors reported having used any illicit drugs in 1996.6 According to the Monitoring the Future Study, one out of every 20 seniors use marijuana on a daily basis.7 The rate of marijuana use among youth aged 12-17 has been rising steadily since 1992. In 1995, about 16 percent of 12-17 year olds ever used marijuana, 14 percent used marijuana in the past year, and eight percent used marijuana in Annual Marijuana Use the past month. Between, 1992 and 1995, the rate of past-month Grades 6-12 Percent use more than doubled.8
30

While there has been a 20 steadily rising trend in drug use 10 since 1992, a recent study by the Parents Resource Institute for 0 Drug Education (PRIDE) found 87- 88- 89- 90- 91- 92- 93- 94- 95- 96- 97past-year use of marijuana among 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 sixth through eighth graders and ninth through twelfth graders Source: 1997-1998 PRIDE Survey declined in the 1997-1998 school year. However, drug use still remains high compared to previous years. We have made remarkable progress in the past two years, but to return to the drug use level of 1990 we would have to cut todays usage in half, said Dr. Thomas Gleaton, PRIDE President.9

Characteristics of adolescent drug users

Adolescents who abuse drugs tend to have certain characteristics in common. Youth living in the south are the least likely to use marijuana. Compared to urban and rural teens, suburban youth are the most likely to use marijuana. In addition, Native American teens and teens on welfare have a high risk for heavy marijuana use.10 Marijuana use is more common among high school students than among those in junior high. Overall, a higher proportion of males than females use marijuana (13.5 percent versus 11.9 percent).11 Likewise, daily use of marijuana is more prevalent among males (6.5 percent) than females (2.4 percent).12

Adolescents with both biological parents present in their home are less likely (6.9 percent) to use marijuana in the past year compared to those in other family types. The highest risk of marijuana use is in households where only one parent is present (25.1 percent).13 Adolescents who place a personal importance on religion and prayer are less likely to be involved in substance abuse. Those with high levels of self-esteem report less marijuana use as well.14 And those who are high scholastic achievers have very low usage rates.15

First use trends

The age at which young people initiate this risk behavior is another critical part of the picture. While overall youth drug use rates give a perspective on current participation, age of first use is vital to an understanding of present and future trends. Experts agree that age of initiation is a powerful predictor of consequences and dependence. Studies suggest that adolescents who begin drug use at early ages not only use drugs more frequently, but also escalate to higher levels more quickly and are less likely to stop using.16 According to the 1997 National Household Survey on Drug Abuse adolescents are beginning to smoke marijuana at a younger age. The mean age of first use of marijuana dropped from 19.4 in 1986 to 16.4 in 1996. In that same ten years, among 12 to 17 year olds the rate of first use rose from 50.4 per thousand to 83.2. Indeed, researchers report that the rising incidence of marijuana use in the 1990s is primarily due to the increasing rate of new use among youth ages 12 to 17 years.17 For marijuana, the highest initiation rates are seen in grades 9 through 11.18 12th Graders Perceptions of Risk and Harmfulness of Marijuana Versus Lifetime Use
100 90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 '75 '77 '79 '81 '83 '85 '87 '89 '91 '93 '95
Source: The Monitoring the Future Study, 1975-1995

Risk

Disapproval

Use

Other substances of concern in this regard are cocaine and inhalants. While overall rates of use are not high, according to the National Household Survey on Drug Abuse, rates of cocaine initiation among youth ages 12 to 17 increased from 4.0 in 1991 to 11.3 in 1996. Likewise, rates of first inhalant use rose form 10.3 to 21.0 per thousand.19

Youth perceptions about drug use

Researchers have found that perceived risks and disapproval of marijuana use are among the most

important determinants of actual use. One study published in The American Journal of Public Health, examined lifestyle factors in light of the historical trends: increased use in the 1970s and 1990s and decreased use in the 1980s. Despite the differences in use, lifestyle factors did not differ significantly among youth in any of those decades. The researchers did find that disapproval of use and a perception of risk of harmfulness was higher in the 1980s when use was lower. When use was higher, perceptions were more positive towards marijuana. Researchers suggested: prevention efforts should include realistic information about risks and consequences of marijuana use.20 A majority of high school seniors feel regular use of any illicit drugs can cause great harm to the user. Specifically, 61 percent of the seniors perceived regular use of marijuana to be a great risk.21 However, when asked about experimentation, fewer teens perceive risk. According to the Partnership for a Drug Free America, only 18 percent of teens believe trying marijuana is risky.22 Research indicates that attitudes towards drug use changes with age. The higher the grade level, the lower the rate of disapproval. For example, in 1995, 57 percent of seniors disapproved of trying marijuana compared to almost three-fourths of eighth graders. Overall, the percentage of seniors saying they disapprove of using marijuana regularly, occasionally, or once or twice, has been declining since the early 1990s.23 In the same time period, use increased significantly.

Interconnections with risk behaviors

The use of illicit drugs places an adolescent at greater risk for engaging in sexual activity, violence, and multiple substance use. Young people who use drugs are significantly more likely to exhibit an overall lifestyle pattern of risky behavior. Studies show drug use and delinquency are inextricably linked. The Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Relationship of Prevention Youth Substance Abuse to Sex and Violence writes, Sub(Study of 7th Grade Boys) Substance abuse and No use Beer, wine or liquor Marijuana delinquency of80 often share the common factors 60 of school and family problems, 40 negative peer groups, lack of 20 neighborhood social control, 0 and a history of Hit to hurt Gang fight Had sex Assault with physical or sexweapon sexual abuse.
Source: Juvenile Offenders and Victims: A National Report

One study found more than 39 percent of juveniles were under the influence of drugs at the time of their offense. More than half of youth under 18 who were taken into custody reported drug use within the past month.24 Current adolescent smokers reported significantly higher marijuana use compared to their counterparts who currently did not smoke. Almost 27 percent of current smokers reported marijuana use in the last thirty days. In contrast, 10.3 percent of former smokers, 6.2 percent of experimenters, and 1.5 percent of those who had never smoked reported using marijuana in the last thirty days.25 Likewise, past month alcohol users ages 12-17 were significantly more likely to report illicit drug use.26 The Commonwealth Fund survey of the health of adolescent girls found that high school girls often engage in more than one risky behavior. Two-thirds of girls who had reported smoking, drinking or using drugs in the last month were currently engaged in two or more risk behaviors.27

The impact of parents and family on drug use

Parent relationships and family life strongly impact whether or not a youth will be involved in many risk behaviors, including illicit drug use. Research has shown that children who hear about the risks of illicit drug use from their parents are significantly less likely to use drugs. Of those children (grades 6-12) whose parents discussed drugs with them multiple times, 24.1 Parent Talk vs. Any Illicit Drug Use percent reported annual drug use compared to 35.5 percent Illicit Drug Use drug use levels reported by adolescents whose parents never talked about drugs.28 A Lot Parents who not only talk to their children about drugs, Sometimes but also act as positive role Seldom models protect their adolescents from drug use even Never more. The Whos Who Among American High School 0 10 20 30 40 50 Students survey found that out Source: 1997-1998 PRIDE Survey of students whose parents told them theyve previously used drugs, 35 percent of students had experimented with marijuana. In comparison, of teens whose parents said they never used drugs, 90 percent say they have never tried drugs.29
Often

Clearly, parents are the first line of defense in guarding teens against the most alluring and life-threatening substances, said Paul Krouse, publisher of Whos Who Among American High School Students. Parents need to know that their words and actions can serve as a shield for their teenagers.30 The Add Health study found parents play a significant role in protecting children from drug use. Students were protected from drug use if they felt parental connectedness, which was defined by researchers as a sense of family closeness and feeling loved and cared for by parents. Parental presence was found to be another protective factor against marijuana use, although to a lesser degree. However, students who reported easy access to marijuana in their home were more likely to smoke marijuana.31 Interestingly, most adults recognize the importance of parents in helping to stop youth drug use. A survey conducted by the Office of National Drug Control Policy found when adults were asked who should be responsible for stopping illegal drug use among 13-18 year olds, 70 percent said families and parents. An even higher percentage (81 percent) of adults said families and parents should be responsible for stopping drug use among youth under 12 years of age.32

The IYD Approach

Recognizing the links between the major youth risk behaviors, the Institute for Youth Development (IYD) promotes a comprehensive risk avoidance message for multiple unhealthy behaviors, including illicit drug use. IYD believes that youth are capable of making the healthy decision to avoid drugs completely, especially if they are empowered by positive relationships with their parents and family.

Written and researched by Kimberly Erickson. Research assistance provided by Vi Nguyen. Editorial assistance provided by Sarah Kinder. Last updated October 1998. To receive additional copies of this publication or a list of other IYD publications that are available, please contact the Institute for Youth Development at 703/471-8750.
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PRIDE. PRIDE questionnaire report: 1997-1998 national summary grades 6 through 12. Atlanta: PRIDE; 1998. 2 Ibid. 3 Issued by funding/sponsoring agency: Preliminary results from the 1997 National Household Survey on Drug Abuse. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 1998. 4 Issued by funding/sponsoring agency: Johnson RA, Hoffman JP, Gerstein DR. The relationship between family structure and adolescent substance use. Rockville (MD): U.S. Department of Health and Human

Services, The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Office of Applied Studies; 1996. 5 Blum RW, Rinehart PM. Reducing the risk: Connections that make a difference in the lives of youth. Division of General Pediatrics and Adolescent Health, University of Minnesota. 6 Crowe A, Dickinson T. Capacity building for juvenile substance abuse treatment. Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention: Juvenile Justice Bulletin 1997 December. 7 Issued by funding/sponsoring agency: Johnston LD, OMalley PM, Bachman JG. National survey results on drug use from The Monitoring the Future Study, 1975-1995. Vol. 1. Rockville (MD): U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, The National Institute on Drug Abuse; 1996. 8 Issued by funding/sponsoring agency: National household survey on drug abuse: Main findings 1995. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 1997. 9 Adapted by CESAR from data from Parents Resource Institute for Drug Education (PRIDE). Alcohol, tobacco and illicit drug use declines among majority of students; slight increases found among high school seniors. University of Maryland, College Park: Center for Substance Abuse Research; 7(25); 1998 June 22. 10 Blum RW, Rinehart PM. Reducing the risk: Connections that make a difference in the lives of youth. Division of General Pediatrics and Adolescent Health, University of Minnesota. 11 Ibid. 12 Issued by funding/sponsoring agency: Johnston LD, OMalley PM, Bachman JG. National survey results on drug use from The Monitoring the Future Study, 1975-1995. Vol. 1. Rockville (MD): U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, The National Institute on Drug Abuse; 1996. 13 Issued by funding/sponsoring agency: Johnson RA, Hoffman JP, Gerstein DR. The relationship between family structure and adolescent substance use. Rockville (MD): U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Office of Applied Studies; 1996. 14 Blum RW, Rinehart PM. Reducing the risk: Connections that make a difference in the lives of youth. Division of General Pediatrics and Adolescent Health, University of Minnesota. 15 Krouse, P. Twenty-eighth annual survey of high achievers views on education, drugs, social and sexual issues. Lake Forest (IL): Whos who among American high school students; 1997. 16 Johnson RA, Gerstein DR. Initiation of use of alcohol, cigarettes, marijuana, cocaine and other substances in US birth cohorts since 1919. Am J Public Health. 1998; 88(1): 27-33. 17 Issued by funding/sponsoring agency: Preliminary results from the 1997 National Household Survey on Drug Abuse. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. 1998. 18 Issued by funding/sponsoring agency: Johnston LD, OMalley PM, Bachman JG. National survey results on drug use from Monitoring the Future Study, 1975-1995. Vol. 1 Rockville (MD): U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The National Institute on Drug Abuse: 1996. 19 Issued by funding/sponsoring agency: Preliminary results from the 1997 National Household Survey on Drug Abuse. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. 1998. 20 Johnston LD, OMalley PM, Bachman JG. Explaining recent increases in students marijuana use: Impacts of perceived risks and disapproval, 1976-1996. Am J Public Health 1998 June;88(6):887-891. 21 Issued by funding/sponsoring agency: Johnston LD, OMalley PM, Bachman JG. National survey results on drug use from The Monitoring the Future Study, 1975-1995. Vol. 1. Rockville (MD): U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, The National Institute on Drug Abuse; 1996. 22 Partnership for a Drug Free America. The boomer-rang: Baby Boomers seriously underestimating presence of drugs in their childrens lives. 1998 April 13. Available from: URL: http://www.drugfreeamerica.org 23 Issued by funding/sponsoring agency: Johnston LD, OMalley PM, Bachman JG. National survey results on drug use from The Monitoring the Future Study, 1975-1995. Vol. 1. Rockville (MD): U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, The National Institute on Drug Abuse; 1996. 24 Crowe A, Dickinson T. Capacity building for juvenile substance abuse treatment. Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention: Juvenile Justice Bulletin 1997 December. 25 Willard JC, Schoenborn CA. Relationship between cigarette smoking and other unhealthy behaviors among our nations youth: United States, 1992. Advance Data 1995 April 24; (263).

Issued by funding/sponsoring agency: Preliminary results from the 1997 National Household Survey on Drug Abuse. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 1998. 27 The Commonwealth Fund. Facts on risky behaviors. In: The Commonwealth Fund survey of the health of adolescent girls. New York: The Commonwealth Fund; 1997. 28 PRIDE. PRIDE questionnaire report: 1997-1998 national summary, Grades 6 through 12. Atlanta: PRIDE; 1998. 29 Krouse, P. Twenty-eighth annual survey of high achievers views on education, drugs, social and sexual issues. Lake Forest (IL): Whos who among American high school students; 1997. 30 Ibid. 31 Blum RW, Rinehart PM. Reducing the risk: Connections that make a difference in the lives of youth. Division of General Pediatrics and Adolescent Health, University of Minnesota. 32 Issued by the funding/sponsoring agency: The Gallup Organization. Consult with America: A look at how Americans view the countrys drug problem. Rockville (MD): The Office of National Drug Control Policy, 1996 March.

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